Written hastily over a hospital supper this evening, this is more an explanation for my continued absence than a poem. Mum is waaaaay over into borrowed time, but I am still spending all waking hours at the hospital as her life continues to hang by a thread... Thanks for all love and prayers, People. All feathered thoughts welcome... xxxxxxxxxoooooxxxxxx K

THE EXCHANGE


From Venezuelan sunshine
we flew, over 30 hours delayed,
descending into Gatwick
from above sun-drenched
snowfields of cloud
where I wished I could
get out, walk and breathe
the fresh, clean air.

Blind at 560 miles per hour
we came down through blankets of mist,
"like faith", I thought,
rushing headlong at speed
into who knows what.

Back here, you were preparing to make
The Divine Exchange;
with just hours left
you counted us later round your bed:
"All home!" you said,
ready for your own depart...

Mum, you have known
both sunshine and rain;
you have lived through
clouds and storm,
but always you have turned
your face to sun,
tilted it upwards
to smiles and radiance,
never one to sing the blues.

And I will think of you now,
your journey of faith through the skies,
walking in peace -
living life above the clouds
and not beneath.